Community Service a Priority for Staten Islander of Week

But his commitment to customer service is only matched by his desire to help those in need.

"I've been fortunate in my business," said Laursen. "At a certain time, as time allots for you, to just give back to the community in whatever you do," said Laursen.

Laursen is the owner of Country Awards and Trophy Center located inside Rab's Country Lanes.

It's where he's been incorporating charity into his business model for more than 30 years.

"You have to give back as much as you can. There are a lot of needs on Staten Island," said Laursen.

Each October, Laursen and his family host a bowl-a-thon in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

In the last 14 years, they've raised more than $500 thousand for medical research and patient care.

Laursen recently caught the attention of Borough President James Oddo when he became the first employer to participate in The Heart Project.

The new program provides a free Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, to small business owners who require their workers to complete a CPR certification program.

"It makes me feel go to know that god forbid something happens out on the lanes and someone needs assistance that we are trained and we have the machinery here to help them," said Laursen.

Laursen also gives out hundreds of dollars worth of trophies each year to help local nonprofits host their annual golf outings at a lower cost.

It's just another reason why community leaders say Laursen stands out among the rest.

"Wherever you go, wherever there is a charitable event, Ray is there," said Borough President James Oddo. "If we could clone him, Staten Island would be a much better place. He is a model for what other small business owners should be."

And so, for making it his business to step up for those in need, Ray Laursen is our Staten Islander of the Week.